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Article
Defining Treatment Response in Trichotillomania: A Signal Detection Analysis
Journal of Anxiety Disorders
  • David C. Houghton, Texas A&M University - College Station
  • Matthew R. Capriotti, University of California, San Francisco
  • Alessandro S. De Nadai, University of South Florida
  • Scott N. Compton, Duke University School of Medicine
  • Michael P. Twohig, Utah State University
  • Angela M. Neal-Barnett, Kent State University
  • Stephen M. Saunders, Marquette University
  • Martin E. Franklin, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
  • Douglas W. Woods, Marquette University
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
8 p.; 23 cm
Publication Date
12-1-2015
Publisher
Elsevier
Original Item ID
doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.09.008; PubMed Central, PMCID: PMC4658278; Shelves: RC 531 .J68 2015 v. 36, Memorial Periodicals
Disciplines
Abstract

The Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale (MGH-HPS) and the NIMH Trichotillomania Severity Scale (NIMH-TSS) are two widely used measures of trichotillomania severity. Despite their popular use, currently no empirically-supported guidelines exist to determine the degrees of change on these scales that best indicate treatment response. Determination of such criteria could aid in clinical decision-making by defining clinically significant treatment response/recovery and producing accurate power analyses for use in clinical trials research. Adults with trichotillomania (N = 69) participated in a randomized controlled trial of psychotherapy and were assessed before and after treatment. Response status was measured via the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement Scale, and remission status was measured via the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale. For treatment response, a 45% reduction or 7-point raw score change on the MGH-HPS was the best indicator of clinically significant treatment response, and on the NIMH-TSS, a 30–40% reduction or 6-point raw score difference was most effective cutoff. For disorder remission, a 55–60% reduction or 7-point raw score change on the MGH-HPS was the best predictor, and on the NIMH-TSS, a 65% reduction or 6-point raw score change was the best indicator of disorder remission. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Vol. 36 (December 2015): 44-51. DOI. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Used with permission.

Douglas W. Woods was affiliated with Texas A&M University at the time of publication.

Citation Information
David C. Houghton, Matthew R. Capriotti, Alessandro S. De Nadai, Scott N. Compton, et al.. "Defining Treatment Response in Trichotillomania: A Signal Detection Analysis" Journal of Anxiety Disorders (2015) ISSN: 0887-6185
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michael-twohig/244/